Omak will play in North Central B League starting in the fall

OMAK  Omak will compete in the North Central B League starting this fall, but will continue to play in 1A for postseason tournaments.

Omak School District Superintendent Erik Swanson announced the decision Tuesday morning.

“Omak School District has been allowed an option to play a league schedule with the regional (2B) schools, which will reduce the cost of travel by nearly half, and protect essential class time for athletes and coaches,” Swanson said.

“These two factors, along with the ability to play many of the original Caribou Trail League schools is why Omak School District will be playing in the North Central B League for the next two years.”

Every two years, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association reevaluates the classification for all athletic play for the state of Washington.

Classifications are based on enrollment, not based on geographic location. The process put CTL members Okanogan and Tonasket, which were 1B schools, in the 2B classification.

Omak along with Chelan, Cascade and Cashmere were the remaining CTL schools.

There is a report that Chelan, Cascade and Cashmere will be joining the South Central Athletic Conference.

“This decision will not impact the ability to play Chelan, Cascade and Cashmere, as the desire is to compete in non-league 1A competition with historical rivals,” Swanson said. “Omak will compete for post season tournament play at a 1A classification, as that is our designation.”

Enrollment shifts over the next two years could bring some of the 2B schools back to the 1A level when WIAA reevaluates status for all schools in late 2015, Swanson said.

“The goal in our decision is to provide the best possible competition and instructional environment for our student athletes while being responsible custodians of public funds,” he said.